Translation guide
The English word 'slipping' can refer to losing physical traction, making a mistake, declining in quality, or moving quietly. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To slide unintentionally on a surface, often losing balance.
General verb for slipping or sliding on a surface. Can be used for feet, tires, etc.
床が滑って転びそうになった。
I almost fell because the floor was slippery.
雨の日は車が滑りやすい。
Cars slip easily on rainy days.
Also used for slipping on ice or wet surfaces. Often combined with 転ぶ (to fall).
凍った道で滑って転んだ。
I slipped and fell on the icy road.
Literally 'to make one's foot slip'. Emphasizes losing footing, often leading to a fall.
階段で足を滑らせて落ちた。
I slipped on the stairs and fell.
Loanword from English, used for slipping of vehicles or in technical contexts.
タイヤがスリップして制御不能になった。
The tires slipped and I lost control.
To make a small mistake, often in speech, memory, or action.
General phrase for making a mistake. Common in casual and business contexts.
仕事で小さなミスをしてしまった。
I made a small mistake at work.
A careless mistake or slip. Often used for absent-minded errors.
うっかりミスで書類を間違えた。
I made a careless slip and got the documents wrong.
To make a slip of the tongue, say something incorrectly.
緊張して名前を言い間違えた。
I was nervous and slipped up on the name.
To have a memory slip, to draw a blank. Used when you temporarily forget something.
彼の電話番号をど忘れした。
I had a slip of memory and forgot his phone number.
To gradually become worse in quality, performance, or condition.
To drop, fall, decline. Used for slipping grades, performance, or quality.
最近、成績が落ちている。
My grades have been slipping lately.
売上が落ちてきた。
Sales have been slipping.
To decline, drop. More formal than 落ちる, used for statistics, ability, etc.
集中力が低下している。
My concentration is slipping.
To weaken, decline (e.g., physical strength, skill). Implies a gradual loss.
To go somewhere quietly or without being noticed.
To slip out quietly, sneak away. Common for leaving a place unnoticed.
会議中にこっそり抜け出した。
I slipped out during the meeting.
To slip into a place stealthily, sneak in.
夜中に家に忍び込んだ。
I slipped into the house at night.
To slip into (a place) just in time, often used for catching a train or making an appointment.
Using 滑る for a mistake (like a slip of the tongue) is not natural. Use ミス or specific phrases like 言い間違える.
落ちる is more casual and common in speech. 低下する is formal and often used in writing or reports.
年を取ると体力が衰える。
As you get older, your physical strength slips.
電車に滑り込んだ。
I slipped onto the train just in time.